Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Courage, and Influence
By Missionary Felicia Garrison
A few months ago I started reading this book by Michelle McClain-Walters called The Esther Anointing: Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Courage, and Influence. I also read What It Means to Pray Through by Mother Elizabeth Juanita Dabney. Since finishing graduate school I started asking myself, now what? There’s no more papers to write or deadlines to meet, now what? One night while reading the book by Mother Dabney I heard the Lord so audibly, the Lord spoke to me and said now that I’ve completed school and He’s been with me every step of the way that if I would pray for others and their needs that He would take care of my needs. I remember weeping like a baby that night because I heard the Lord tell me to pray for others and He would take care of my needs many years ago, before I decided to pursue my Masters. I guess you can say I was running (smile).
One of the scriptures during the church 21 day consecration was Esther 4:1-17, which reminded me of the book Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Courage, and Influence. We all know the story of how Mordecai heard the decree to have all of the Jews killed and word got back to Esther about her cousin Mordecai. Mordecai sends a message for Esther to go directly to the king to beg for mercy for her people. Of course we all know that Esther sent word back to Mordecai explaining that it has been 30 days since the king called upon her. Everyone knew you didn’t go to the inner court without being first invited – to do so meant death, unless the king held out his gold scepter.
I love Mordecai’s response to Esther. He reminded her of who she actually was and before she became the Queen. She was this little orphaned Jewish girl living with her cousin; therefore, she was not exempt from this decree. Mordecai told Esther that maybe she was put in the palace for such a time as this. So, Esther tells him to gather all of the Jews and have them fast for her, not to eat or drink for three days, and that she and her maids would do the same. But I also like Esther’s response: though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king and if I must die, I must die. This took COURAGE not only was she going against the law, but she was also taking a risk of having her identity revealed.
When you have insecurities about yourself, whether past hang ups or no one speaking into your life positively, you believe what the enemy says about you. And even when you come to know God and His love, you still have those little insecurities and you have to remind yourself constantly that “He will give you beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3).
I’m sure during those three days of fasting, Esther PRAYED because on the third day she approached the king. But this is how you know Esther not only had the favor of God, but she also had favor with the king. The king asked Esther what she wanted – even up to half the kingdom (WOW, FAVOR!). As the story continues, everyone attended the second banquet and Esther is asked by the king again what she really wants. Esther asks the king that her life and the lives of her people be spared (and we know it didn’t end well for Haman). Esther INFLUENCED the king to come to the banquet and to listen to her plea.
Not one time in the book of Esther do we see the word God referenced, but we can clearly see that the power and the favor of God was in the book of Esther. She was a woman that prayed for her people, she faced her fears and found the courage to see the king, and she influenced the king to attend a banquet (just because).
Women of God, no matter what your insecurities ask God for the courage to overcome them, increase your prayer life, and watch how God will favor you in whatever it is He has called you to do, whether in your workplace, your community, or the church. Someone recently told me to stop running (I believe I will do just that) and become a woman of prayer, courage, and influence.